BICOM

Local elections will take place across Israel next Tuesday as mayors and city councils are elected in hundreds of municipalities across the country.

Although many candidates represent national parties, the political lines are blurred in the framework of local politics, especially as there are plenty of other independent candidates. A poll published yesterday in Haaretz, indicated that fifty seven percent of Israelis plan to vote next week, compared to a fifty two percent turnout in 2008 and sixty six percent in January’s Knesset elections.

In many municipalities, the incumbent mayor is expected to retain office, with two-thirds elected for another term in 2008. However, keen contests will be fought in a number of cities, most notably perhaps in Jerusalem, where current Mayor Nir Barkat is being challenged by the official Likud-Beitenu candidate Moshe Leon. Barkat, running on his Jerusalem Will Succeed ticket is considered to have the unofficial support of Prime Minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Leon is closely backed by Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman who is very keen to see Leon take office. Much has been made of the fact that Leon, who has headed the Jerusalem Development Authority for several years, lives in Givatayim, near Tel Aviv. It is likely that many Likud supporters will vote for Barkat, the opponent of the party’s official candidate.

Polls indicate that Barkat is ahead in the race. However, much will depend on whether the city’s ultra-Orthodox leaders throw their weight behind Leon or not. Shas appears to have given its support to Leon, with suggestions that party leader Aryeh Deri sees it as a way to forge an alliance with Lieberman and help bring down the government coalition. However, other ultra-Orthodox factions have yet to declare an official position.

Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, Mayor Ron Huldai, an independent close to the Labour Party, looks set to secure a fourth term in office, with his main rival Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz considered unlikely to win.